The 20-year-old penguin passed away at his home of Tobu Zoo after a brief illness, but thankfully his 2D girlfriend was there with him until the bitter end.

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that
supports HTML5 video

A cardboard cutout of a girl from the anime series Kemono Girls was initially placed in Grape-kun’s enclosure during an ad campaign back in April and the penguin fell head over flippers for her.

Grape-kun would stand and stare at the girl (named Hululu) all day, with staff having to take her away for periods after a loved-up Grape-kun replaced eating with…staring.

Perhaps Grape-kun was worried she’d ditch him if he didn’t keep a beady eye on her, for he’d been brutally dumped by his ex-girlfriend Midori (an actual penguin), who’d previously left him after 10 years for a younger penguin.

Classic.

The happy couple (Credit: Twitter – Tobu Zoo)

As well as taking Hululu away to make Grape-kun eat his meals, staff had to remove her during a typhoon, as they were afraid she would blow away.

The poor penguin was visibly heartbroken, and zoo staff had to replace her as soon as they safely could.

Grape-kun would stand in front of Hululu with his beak pointed upwards and wings outstretched, which in the penguin world basically means things are going steady.

Their love will forever shine (Credit: Twitter – Tobu Zoo)

Like all great love stories, this one had a happy ending (well, until the death bit), as the penguin’s new relationship gained him millions of new fans from all around the world, all rooting for him and his new gal.

No word on how the cardboard cutout is coping with her loss.

Rest in peace, flappy one, may you have all the 3D fish/2D love you ever dreamed of.